Some Highlights Of 2006

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Seattle Seahawks Defeated In The Super Bowl
The Seattle Seahawk, so brilliant during the season were able to keep some of their early momentum in the first half and play possession ball throughout. The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated during the second half after a record breaking 75 yard touchdown run by Willie Parker. The Steeler's D was able to take Sean Alexander out of the game (he had to settle for 93 yards) making quarterback Matt Hasselbeck have to depend on the pass. Dropped passes, sacks and an interception, things that seemed absent in the Seahawk's play this year seemed to come back to haunt us. But of course, it's the Super Bowl and you have to play the best. You have to bring your A game and although it looked like they did briefly, it is a game of 4 quarters.Congrats to retiring running back Jerome Bettis and Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher. These are 2 of the NFL's great.Thank you very much to the Seattle Seahawks for making one of the greatest runs in Seattle sports history. We're in the NFL elite now and next season, I would not be surprised if we break down the door and bring home a championship

August 2006 Wa Hi 30 years Class Reunion

Late Summer Cruise

Highlight 2006

Karen And Linda perform before Millions on The View.
Now Back to the present Happy New Year!

Seattle Seahawks Close Regular Season With Win

The Playoff bound Seattle Seahawks were so hungry to end a three game losing skid, they played their first team and paid a price. Cornerback Kelly Herndon is finished for the year with broken ankle. The 'Hawks beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-7, but the team's starters would probably have been resting if Seattle would have gone into the game with momentum. Herndon was the second cornerback to go down as Marcus Trufant sprained an ankle last week.
Matt Hasselbeck passed for 216 yards including a touchdown pass to DJ Hackett. Saun Alexander made a one yard touchdown run. The always reliable Josh Brown contributed with 2 field goals.

Happy New Year!

Taylor Amazingly Popular

It's not hard to notice the voice of 950 Sportsradio traffic reporter Tracy Taylor. Quite often it's the only female voice heard on the sports station until Elise Woodward co hosts the evening show. Last August, I wrote a short article on Tracy and it continues to be the most popular entry on this blog, getting several hits almost every day. Her unique voice and cheery style must have a lot to do with that.

So Long Gerald R.Ford

1913-2006

Touchdown In Final Minute Beats Seahawks

The Seahawks played one of their best games of the season as they lost to the San Diego Chargers 20-17. While the Seahawk defense was able to hold the NFL's leading offense to one touchdown in the first half, it's own offense was not able to get rolling until the second half. The Seahawks finally grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter and added a field goal, but the Charger dealt a fatal blow when Quarterback Phillip Rivers found Vince Jackson in the end zone for a last minute touchdown. Saun Alexander (above with Charger running back sensation Ladamian Thomlinson) found his ground game again with 140 yards and 2 touchdowns. Thomlinson who seems to have replaced Alexander as the league's top running back, had 123 yards on the ground, but no touchdowns.

The Apprentice Returns!

The much awaited (at least by 5 of us) 6th season of The Apprentice is finally upon us as 18 candidates will vie to become run one of Donald Trump's companies. Traditionally Trump starts his show describing the virtues of New York City, but he no longer do that as the show will be set in Los Angeles for the first time. The show was filmed a year ago, but was but on hold for the fall season presumably because of a big decline in the ratings. That means 2 candidates are going crazy wondering if they will be the one chosen. Since the show is filmed in a warmer climate, look for skimpier clothing to be worn by both men and women on the show. The first episode will be January 7th at 9:30. I plan on offering my analysis of each episode here. You can also check No Deep Thoughts , or none other than Ivanka Trump's blog.

Just Sillines

I'll bet you did not know that I blog in several languages. Check this out

Ho Ho Ho A Jewish Santa Clause?

When I was 6 or 7, Cousin Burl Barer was still going to High School in Walla Walla where I lived at the time. He also was working nights and weekends at the local radio station KTEL. Burl's official title was "staff announcer" , it consisted of playing country music during the day, then at night, he could play the rock and roll that he and his peers wanted to hear. We did not know that this would be the beginning of a successful radio career for him. KTEL was small and a somewhat cornball organization, it had a tradition of doing a remote broadcast at Christmastime. One of the staff announcers would be Santa Clause at JJ Newberry's ( a well known national departments store with a huge toy department) he would ask children to tell what they wanted for Christmas and it go out over the radio. Probably so the real Santa would hear (rumor had it that he was a listener--Oh well). One year that duty went to Burl, my parents took me to Newberry's and told me not to tell anyone that "Santa" was really my cousin. When it was my turn to step up to see Santa, he asked if I was "any relation to Burl Barer", that was a difficult concept for me to fathom at the time so I said, "that's you"
Because he made a great Santa, Burl got to hand out gifts at the family Chanukkah party that Saturday night.

Maple Valley KFC

If you live in the Maple Valley area and have power but no food, or if you have lost power and get this web page, the KFC in the Lake Wilderness area of Maple Valley is open and serving food.

Puget Sound Area Recovering From Brutal Storm

We are counting our blessings today as we woke up with electrical power intact after the most fierce windstorm to hit the Seattle area in over a decade. When I wrote yesterday's story about the Seahawks, I was aware that a storm of great magnitude was brewing and I thought that our somewhat rural town of Maple Valley would bear the brunt of it.
A potted plant was blown off of our deck as well as some chairs, but our front yard and around the cul de sac showed almost no hint of any damage. Up the road to the highway was a different story, as tree trunks and branches lay near the road, one trunk had been sawed to open the roadway. That was the story as we made it to Bellevue where both of our workplaces are. The power was out, most of the streetlights where out and it was impossible to work. Bellevue, probably Washington's second busiest commerce center was practically shut down. Since this is the Christmas season, a staggering amount of retail sales will be lost.
According to the Seattle Times, winds picked up in the area, to about 70 miles per hour, 4 people in the state have died this far as a result.

Oops! Falcon Coach Slips Up In Local Interview

Atlanta Falcons Coach Jim Mora, Jr, slipped on a verbal banana peal yesterday when he told Sportsradio KJR talk show hosts Dave "Softy" Mahler and Hugh Millen that he was interested in coaching the Washington Huskies. Mahler, who is known for "stirring the pot" made the statement that opened up the can of worms. Here is a transcript courtesy of ESPN
Interviewer: If it ever works out, if there's an opening, and you're available, we want you to coach the Huskies.
Mora: Well, I really have a lot of respect for Ty, and I know he'll do a great job. But if he ever decides to move on, and get in the NFL or you know, go back to Notre Dame or whatever, if that job's open you'll find me at the friggin' head of the line with my resume in my hand ready to take that job.
Interviewer: If you're available.
Mora: It doesn't even matter if I'm available.
Interviewer: So if you just won the Super Bowl, and it's available, you're there?
Mora: I'd be there
Interviewer: You're there, OK.
Mora: Dewey, I promise you that. Now, I want to see Ty succeed, and I want to see that program succeed. But if he decides at some point that he's ready to move on and they want me, I will be there. I don't care if we're in the middle of a playoff run, I'm packing my stuff and coming back to Seattle.
Interviewer: So, are you saying ...
Mora: You know, it's funny, and I mean that, and I'm dead serious, the further I get away from it the more I'm drawn to it. You know, that's the job I want, so...
Interviewer: You would leave the Falcons for that job?
Mora: Absolutely.
Interviewer: Wow.
Mora: As I'm sitting here, I'm looking at a Huskies helmet.
At a news conference today, Mora made a clarification, undoubtedly his statement was scripted!

Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah starts Friday night!

Seahawks Blow Windy Thursday Night Game

Oh, the memories of last year and the fun of blogging the Seahawk season. The 'Hawks could be on the verge of blowing a "chip shot" trip to the play-offs as they lost the third game in a row to to an NFC West "bottom feeder" With the exception of a touchdown pass in the last minute of the game, the Seahawks where not able to execute on either side of the ball in a 24-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. More than any other time this season, this game proved that this year's team was not Super Bowl calibre. While the defense kept the "Niners" in check for most of the first half, the offense for the most part was unable to capitalize against the NFL's 32nd rank defense. In the second half, young Quarterback Alex Smith looked totally All Pro and Frank Gore turned his running game on as the Niners powered it's way to it's second victory over the 'Hawks this season.
The game was played amid reports of a huge aproaching storm. Wind and rain pelted the field in the first half, but by the second conditions were more ideal. It feels now that the storm could be hitting us soon!

The 12 Days of Christmas

A little fun for the Holiday Season!

NFC West Clinch Not In The Cards For 'Hawks

For the third week in a row, the Seattle Seahawks started a football game by letting the other team get a large lead and for a while it looked like the 'Hawks were roaring back in grand fashion, but a comeback victory was not in the "Cards" as Arizona squeaked by the 'Hawks 27-21. The Seahawks and everyone watching learned 2 things.
1. Edgerrin James is not done.
2. Matt Leinart is ready for the big time.
Edgerrin ran for over 100 yards for the second time in a row, while Matt Leinart amassed 232 yards as the Cardinals combined the veteran along with the rookie with a bigtime play by Adrian Wilson to show that the NFL West may not belong solely to the Seahawks much longer.
Since the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Packers, A Seahawk victory would have clinched the division championship. The Seahawks play the 49ers at home in a special Thursday night game on the NFL network.

Dennis Erickson Goes To Warmer Climates

Maybe you can't blame Dennis Erickson for leaving the University Of Idaho to coach at Arizona State in the Pac-Ten. It is just that this scenario is becoming too familiar. Erickson took the job with Idaho under pretenses that he wanted to coach at a small school again. He had just lost his job with the San Francisco 49ers. He was unwanted. He had coached at the U OF I before
and was anxious to get back to his roots. Then the Arizona State job opened up and rumors swirled of Erickson's interest in the position. Erickson said that he was staying in Moscow, he had no interest in the job.
Today's Seattle Times reports that Dennis Erickson is taking the job with Arizona State. Once again he has bamboozled the people who supported and hired him. Erickson is in the same league with ex-Washington coach Rick Neuheisel. The big gig is much more important than loyalty or credibility.

Review: Bobby

Robert Kennedy was a passionate man. There were those that loved him and those who loathed him. Emilio Estavez's latest, Bobby, take a look not so much at the Senator, but what the energy and following that he created in his tragic run for the Presidency in 1968. Bobby is only shown in the movie occasionally through archival footage. What the movie presents is the life of fictional characters either staying or working at the Ambassador Hotel, on the night of his assassination. The Ambassador is of course, where Kennedy made his last victory speech, after winning the California Primary,before meeting his fate while walking through the Hotel kitchen, thought as the time to be a safer way to exit the crowded banquet room where his victory party was held.
The cast was stellar, Emilio's Dad, Martin Sheen was cast as was his ex finance, Demi Moore. Emilio played Moore's husband showing that you can live out your fantasies by writing the movie. Demi's current husband, Ashton Kutcher, is brilliant as a 60s era hippie philosopher. Also appearing were Helen Hunt, Anthony Hopkins, Harry Belefonte and Sharon Stone.
Most have forgotten that there were others wounded by gunfire in the assasination, the movie reminds us of that using some of it's characters as victims.
The film has not exactly packed 'em in, but is definitely a worthwhile look at history and at an era that brought so much promise.

Sam Barer's Tips On Car Buying

Everyone who knows my youngest first cousin Sam Barer, realizes that he is a car fanatic. He has written a car column in the Daily Olympian for several year. For several months, Sam has written an automotive blog called Fourwheeldrift. In his last entry, Sam gives valuble advice to car shoppers.

"I can’t stress this enough: you should be focused on vehicles that fulfill ninety-percent of your needs, not the vehicle that delivers specialized capabilities for the once or twice per year activities. You wouldn’t believe how many people have come to me asking about which SUV or pickup truck to buy, and through simple (yet methodical) needs analysis concluded a sedan or minivan was the correct purchase.
So to get to the bottom of what you need, rather than what vehicle fits your desired image of your needs — ask yourself these questions based on prior years:
How many passengers will regularly riding simultaneously and how many will need children’s car seats?
How many times will I be towing a boat or trailer larger than a small utility trailer?
How many times per year will I be going skiing, hiking or driving icy/snowy/muddy roads that are not plowed/maintained?
How many times per year will I be hauling materials/garbage/yard waste?
How many times per year will people of 6-feet or taller be riding in both front and rear seats?"

Cougs Upset Gonzaga Before Packed House In Pullman

The Washington State Cougars have stunned the basketball world with a 77-67 victory over the 18th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs. Derrick Low scored 22 points for the Cougs, who at 8 and 1, are off to one of the best starts in the schools history. Friel Court in Pullman was sold out for this battle of two Eastern Washington collegiate programs. It was the first sell out there since 1995.

Seahawks Win Wild One At Mile High

In the world of NFL kickers, your really only as good as your last kick and in spite of game winning kicks in 3 previous contests, Josh Brown looked like his days of being a Seahawk hero were coming to an end. Brown, however turned out to be the brightest light on the Seahawk horizon, kicking 3 field goals in the second half, after missing 2 in the first, including a record tying 4th game winning one of the season, as the Seahawks outlasted the slumping Denver Broncos 23-20.
An ailingMatt Hasselbeck matched wits with inexperienced Jay Cutler, as both teams gave the other ample chance to win. Seahawk tackle Walter Jones was down for a brief time and Mack Strong was knocked out, hopefully for just this game. Denver lost it's brilliant middle linebacker Al Wilson in the scariest moment of the game. Wilson ran into his own man, as the Seahawks faked a field goal and turned it into a "quick kick" , an almost forgotten play of the past designed to pin an opposing offense deep in it's territory. Denver kicker Jason Elam had a slight injury after the Broncos tried their own fake field goal attempt.
It was the 'Hawks first victory at Mile High Stadium in Denver since 1995.

"I Am Art" Shirts Available

You can own your very own "I Am Art" shirts by shopping the Visual Chronicles store.
The shirts, available in many different sizes and colors, was shown on The View by my cousins Karen and Linda. The basic premise to the shirt is to celebrate our individuality and uniqueness. All profits from the purchase of the shirts go the benefit the Rosie O'Donnell For All Kids Foundation. From all indications, the shirts are selling like "hot cakes"!

A Beautiful Drive To Work

Although the roads were somewhat slick, the drive from Maple Valley to I-405 was pretty. Luckily, the cameraman was not driving. 

White Stuff Covered The Streets Of Maple Valley

 

Scenes From A Very Snowy Week

Our backyard looks so peaceful, hard to believe all the craziness the night before. 

The Chanukah Song`

I loved this song when I first heard Adam Sandler sing it on SNL, probably before these two were even born. Tis the season for a good laugh.

We Are Covered With Snow!

I got this out of the Seattle Times. I hope to have some pictures that I took this morning up soon!

Near Blizzard Hits Seattle Area

We had plans to watch the Seahawks tonight at the Joker Pub in Issaquah, but scuttled it when snow and ice clogged the roads and cars starting swerving out of control. We had just turned on East Lake Sammamish after a smooth ride from Bellevue when the skies opened up and the hard snow fell. There was also thunder and lightning (not something you see often in the winter). By miracle, we made it home, just in time to see the final minutes of the 4th quarter, but who cares, we were all home safe and warm!

Alexander Turns It On--Fuels Seahawk Victory

If you turned into Monday Night's snowy Seahawk vs Packer matchup late, you may have thought that the game was played in Green Bay and indeed, the Packers seemed right at home in the first half as they ended the first half with a 14-12 lead. Seattle got back in the saddle as Saun Alexander (always excellent in prime time games) completed the second 200 plus rushing game in his career (201 yards). Matt Hasselbeck, playing for the first time in 2 weeks, regained his poise as well in the second half, throwing touchdown passes to Darrell Jackson, D.J. Hackett, and Jarremy Stevens. It was a sweet victory for ex Packers Matt Hasselbeck and Coach Holmgren. This season, the Seahawks are undefeated in games in which both Saun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck have played.

Seahawks Game Today

The Seattle Seahawks will take on the Green Bay Packers for their second Monday Night Football apearance this season. The 'Hawks beat the Oakland Raiders on MFN, three weeks ago.

A Very Burl Thanksgiving

Burl's reminiscence of the old Thanksgivings from our childhood caught my eye. The Aunt And Uncle in Walla Walla that he talks about are my Grandparents.

Every year I miss even more the Thanksgiving get-togethers we used to have twenty years ago when my folks were in Palm Springs. My brother, sister, and all our kids would gather together either at my sister's place, or my mom's condo, and eat till we dropped -- then eat more of all those pies! The kids were sooo young -- and it was all just so enjoyable for me.
Mom is now 94, and most of the "kids" of her kids have families of thier own, or no longer all travel to the same place to eat the same food.
They miss the "old days" too. There is something about childhood memories that are the best. My childhood memories about Thanksgiving are of huge dinners at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Walla Walla. My most vivid "holiday" memories are of Passover in Spokane, Washington at my grandparents. After dinner, we would eventually wind up in the den where there would be "Chicago Rasslin" on my Grandpa's black and white TV. Man Mountain Dean and Gorgeous George are as much a part of my Passover memories as the Four Questions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reagan Hosts Local Radio Talkshow

Ron Reagan and the current President of the United States, share a couple things in common, they are both named after their Fathers and both of their fathers were Republican Presidents in the 80s. However that is where the similarity ends. Reagan, who shares his father's excellent communications skills, is a Progressive leaning talk show host in Seattle. You can hear his show Monday-Friday from 12-1 pm on 710 KIRO. He is also KIRO's chief political analyst. Reagan and his wife Doria have lived in the Seattle area for the last 12 years.

Uncle Arny And His Wheels

My Dad's brother Arny and I go back along way, when I was little, he would come into town frequently and tell me that there was a world beyond Walla Walla (where he also grew up). Uncle Arny had been to Europe many times, he moved to Seattle and became a successful attorney. That had to be exciting to my Grandmother Barer who was an unrepentant Perry Mason addict. He also ran for Washington State Legislature against Slade Gorton, who eventually became a United States Senator.
Many Dads give their sons cars for their birthdays, but last spring, Arny's kids turned the tables on him and gave him a brand new Lotus.

Golden Retriever with Music

Well, my Seahawks and Cougs both lost this weekend. But this video that I found puts it all in perspective.

Seahawks Stink Up The Bay Area

The San Francisco 49ers played like the Niners of the 80s and the Seattle Seahawks resembled the Behring era Birds in today's 20-14 loss. 49er running back Frank Gore (in photo above) ran for a franchise record 212 yards mostly in the first half. The Seahawks finally showed a few signs of life in the second half (presumably after a Holmgren halftime tirade), but it was too little too late. Senaca Wallace again proved he was unable to come up with the big clutch play, after throwing an interception right after the Seahawk defense forced an unlikely turnover.

More Apple Cup '05

The WSU band and a sea of Crimson 

It's Apple Cup Time

It's Dawg's vs Cats week as the Washington State Cougars will try to win a 3rd straight Apple Cup for the fist time ever. The match between WSU and UW is the state's best known rivalry. The above picture is from last year's contest in Huskie Stadium, which I attended with my buddy George. Tommorrow's game will be played at the WSU campus in Pullman. 

Karen And Linda On The View--Reprise

Karen And Linda On The View!

It has been almost a month but for family members and fans who have not seen it and fans who have seen it and want to see it again, I give you Karen and Linda with the "View Crew". After you see watch it, go to amazon.com and buy the book.

Surprise! It's Sir Paul

Paul McCartney, who in 40 some years with and without the Beatles, has rarely made TV appearances, was a surprise player in an SNL skit. The skit centered around host Alec Baldwin, who hosted for the 13th time and Steve Martin, a frequent host from the past. Martin, himself was unannounced in the show as was Martin Short. The show also made a weak attempt to lampoon Nancy Pelosi and also plugged Baldwin's new show.

What Can Brown Do For You?

For the second time this season, the Seahawks-Rams matchup was decided in the final minutes with a Josh Brown field goal. The battle between the NFC West frontrunners was as exciting as expected, but defenses ruled this contest as the Ram's offense was kept out of the end zone until the final quarter. With the Rams leading most of the 2nd half, Nate Burleson ran a punt return 90 yards in the 4th quarter to give the 'Hawks a short lived lead. The Rams had a quick answer with a 93 yard march and a Steven Jackson touchdown. A mental mistake on the touchdown play meant that the Rams had to kick off from their 15 yard line. The Seahawks took advantage of their excellent field position to march within easy field goal range. Josh Brown came in after the Seahawk ran 50 seconds off the clock and put the game away 22-2o.

So Long Ed Bradley

'60 Minutes' Crew Remembers Ed Bradley

Our generation will remember Ed Bradley as one of the Pioneer black TV journalists. 60 Minutes, reporters Leslie Stahl and Steve Kroft present this moving tribute.

Rusty Relaxing

 

How Washington's Elections Shaped Up

Ivan, who I have crossed pathes with on many blogs, has this report on our state's electoral fortunes.

Lan, This Ones For You

Former Seattle Disc Jockey Lan Roberts was an avid political commentator. I discovered his site from a web page of a local band. Lan was living in Texas and disgusted by then governor George Bush. While Bush was at that time not as well known, other than as a potential presidential candidate, Roberts wrote some eloquant editorials about the Bush agenda. Late last year, we lost Lan to lung cancer. Lan would have been real happy with yesterday's election results.

Darcy Burner Hits 3 Million Mark

In a rain soaked rally in Bellevue yesterday, Darcy Burner announced that her campaign had raised 3 million dollars. This is in spite of not getting the endorsement of the aging Seattle Times, and comming from out of nowhere. The rally also featured apearances of Washington Congressman Jay Inslee, Senator Patty Murray, and Maria Cantwell who pulled up in grand style in a custom bio-diesel bus.

Seahawks Whitewash Raiders

For the second year in a row, the Seattle Seahawks shut out their opponent on Monday Night this time the hated Oakland Raiders by a score of 16-0 in rain slogged Qwest Field. Last year the 'Hawks shut out defending NFC champion Philadelphia. Seattle has on more Monday night game this year against Green Bay.
Craig Terrill had three of nine sacks for the 'Hawks, who scored a touchdown on their opening drive but were happy to settle for 3 Josh Brown field goals to pad their lead. The game turned real ugly toward the end when Raider Tyler Brayton kneed Jeremy Stevens earning an ejection, thus the legend of the Raiders in Seattle continues.

CNN Coverage of WA-08

I'll have something on the rally later. Here is some national coverage of our congressional district.

Big Darcy Burner Rally In Bellevue Today!

Voters of Washington's 8th Congressional district and beyond can send a message that the Republican 12 year stranglehold on Congress is about to end by attending a rally for Democratic candidate Darcy Burner today at 1:30. Burner is scheduled to apear at the rally which will take place at her Bellevue headquarters, located at the corner of 124th and Bel-Red Rd. in the Banner Bank building. Since the Seahawk game is not until tommorrow, this is an excellent opportunity to meet Darcy and send a message that the "Contract with America" runs out this week. 

Walter Cronkite Is 90

Walter Cronkite - last 2 mins of final newscast

Well Happy Birthday, Walter Cronkite! Cronkite is an icon to the baby boomer generation. Bringing the news of the world into America's living room his "thats the way it is" sign off, gave us a ray of hope, in a rapidly changing explosive time. Although he had some critics on the extreme right, Cronkite richly earned his title as "the most trusted man in America"!

Dixie Chicks Are Cool

I admire the Dixie Chicks for risking their scorching career to speak out on what they believe. They are also very talented!